U.S. patent number 11,075,480 [Application Number 16/776,940] was granted by the patent office on 2021-07-27 for connector structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, YAZAKI CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, YAZAKI CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Kobayashi, Takeshi Misaiji, Masayuki Saito.
United States Patent |
11,075,480 |
Misaiji , et al. |
July 27, 2021 |
Connector structure
Abstract
A connector structure includes a hood formed in a housing and
having a bottomed tubular shape, a mating hood formed in a mating
housing and fitted inside the hood, a plate spring member made of
metal and accommodated in a bottom of the hood, a playing
regulating member, a mating hood tip end inclined surface formed at
a tip end of the mating hood in a fitting direction and inclined to
a tube inner side or a tube outer side, and a playing regulating
protrusion. The playing regulating member is provided in an
opposite side against the bottom with the plate spring member
interposed therebetween and is urged by the plate spring member in
a direction opposite to a fitting direction against the mating
hood.
Inventors: |
Misaiji; Takeshi (Seto,
JP), Kobayashi; Hiroshi (Okazaki, JP),
Saito; Masayuki (Makinohara, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YAZAKI CORPORATION
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo
Toyota |
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
YAZAKI CORPORATION (Tokyo,
JP)
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA (Toyota, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
71615747 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/776,940 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200251848 A1 |
Aug 6, 2020 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 4, 2019 [JP] |
|
|
JP2019-017835 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/639 (20130101); H01R 13/5025 (20130101); H01R
13/533 (20130101); H01R 13/6272 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/502 (20060101); H01R 13/627 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1933252 |
|
Mar 2007 |
|
CN |
|
2005-174813 |
|
Jun 2005 |
|
JP |
|
2006-24456 |
|
Jan 2006 |
|
JP |
|
2007-80690 |
|
Mar 2007 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Gushi; Ross N
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector structure comprising: a hood formed in a housing and
having a bottomed tubular shape; a mating hood formed in a mating
housing and fitted inside the hood; a plate spring member made of
metal and accommodated in a bottom of the hood; a playing
regulating member; a mating hood tip end inclined surface formed at
a tip end of the mating hood in a fitting direction and inclined to
a tube inner side or a tube outer side; and at least one playing
regulating protrusion, wherein the playing regulating member is
provided in an opposite side against the bottom with the plate
spring member interposed therebetween and is urged by the plate
spring member in a direction opposite to a fitting direction
against the mating hood, and wherein the at least one playing
regulating protrusion is provided on the playing regulating member
and has a regulating member inclined surface which is configured to
be abutted against the mating hood tip end inclined surface in a
state that the housing and the mating housing are fitted with each
other.
2. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one playing regulating protrusion is provided on the playing
regulating member in an upper-lower direction and a left-right
direction that are orthogonal to each other, and the at least one
playing regulating protrusion is orthogonal to a tubular center
axis of the hood.
3. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein a spring
excessive displacement preventing projection that abuts against the
bottom is formed on the playing regulating member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application
No. 2019-017835 filed on Feb. 4, 2019, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector structure.
Description of Related Art
There has been known a technique for providing a connector
structure without rattling (for example, Patent Literature 1). As
shown in FIG. 16, the connector structure includes a connector 503
including a hood 501 and a mating connector 507 including a mating
hood 505. In the mating connector 507, a packing 509 that is an
elastic member made of a resin is disposed inside the mating hood
505. When the connectors are fitted with each other, the hood 501
of the connector 503 is inserted into the mating hood 505 of the
mating connector 507, and a tip end of the hood 501 presses a
protruding piece 511 of the packing 509 to prevent rattling between
the connector 503 and the mating connector 507 in a fitting axial
direction.
[Patent Literature 1] JP-A-2005-174813
In the related art connector structure, the packing 509 is
accommodated in a fitting space of the mating hood 505, and the
hood 501 is also inserted into the fitting space, so that the
fitting space is effectively used.
However, since the packing 509 is the elastic member made of the
resin, there is a concern that an elastic repulsive force is
reduced due to deterioration due to long-term use, and an effect of
preventing the rattling is reduced. As a result, due to vibration
during traveling of a vehicle or the like, electrical connection
reliability may be reduced due to fine sliding wear between a male
tab 513 and a contact spring 515 of a female terminal.
SUMMARY
One or more embodiments provide a connector structure capable of
obtaining a stable vibration resistant effect even after aging.
In an aspect (1), one or more embodiments provide a connector
structure including a hood formed in a housing and having a
bottomed tubular shape, a mating hood formed in a mating housing
and fitted inside the hood, a plate spring member made of metal and
accommodated in a bottom of the hood, a playing regulating member,
a mating hood tip end inclined surface formed at a tip end of the
mating hood in a fitting direction and inclined to a tube inner
side or a tube outer side, and a playing regulating protrusion. The
playing regulating member is provided in an opposite side against
the bottom with the plate spring member interposed therebetween and
is urged by the plate spring member in a direction opposite to a
fitting direction against the mating hood. The playing regulating
protrusion is provided on the playing regulating member and has a
regulating member inclined surface which is configured to be
abutted against the mating hood tip end inclined surface in a state
that the housing and the mating housing are fitted with each
other.
According to the aspect (1), the plate spring member made of metal
is provided at the bottom of the hood. The playing regulating
member is provided in an opposite side against the bottom with the
plate spring member interposed therebetween. The playing regulating
member is urged by the plate spring member in a direction opposite
to a fitting direction of the mating hood. The playing regulating
member is provided with the regulating member inclined surface.
Immediately before the completion of the fitting, the regulating
member inclined surface is pressed against the mating hood tip end
inclined surface formed at the tip end in the fitting direction of
the mating hood. The playing regulating member including the
regulating member inclined surface pressed against the mating hood
tip end inclined surface compresses and deforms the plate spring
member against a spring force (elastic restoring force). When an
insertion force for the fitting is released, the mating housing is
urged by the elastic restoring force of the plate spring member and
pushed back in the direction opposite to the fitting direction.
Therefore, in the mating housing pushed back by the elastic
restoring force of the plate spring member, a mating locking
surface of a lock projection provided on the mating housing came
into close contact with an arm side locking surface of a lock arm
provided on the housing, and a clearance in a lock mechanism can be
eliminated. That is, the rattling due to the clearance in the lock
mechanism that fits and locks both of the housings is reduced.
Accordingly, in the connector structure according to the present
configuration, in the fitted and locked state of the housings, a
movement between the mating locking surface of the lock projection
and the arm side locking surface of the lock arm in the approaching
and separating directions due to the clearance in the lock
mechanism becomes impossible. As a result, in the connector
structure according to the present configuration, even when
vibration occurs during traveling or the like of the vehicle, fine
sliding between a terminal accommodated in the housing and a mating
terminal accommodated in the mating housing can be prevented. In
the connector structure according to the present configuration, the
plate spring member that pushes back the mating housing so as to
eliminate the clearance in the lock mechanism is made of a metal
elastic member. Therefore, the plate spring member is less likely
to creep due to aging like an elastic member made of rubber or
resin. That is, a push-back force acting on the mating housing can
be maintained for a long period of time. Therefore, the plate
spring member can maintain an elastic repulsive force of the spring
portion even in long-term use, and can prevent the rattling in the
fitting direction between the housing and the mating housing.
In addition, the mating hood tip end inclined surface of the mating
hood and the regulating member inclined surface of the playing
regulating protrusion which are in the abutting state may displace
in directions inward and outward the tube by receiving the elastic
restoring force of the plate spring member.
For example, when the mating hood tip end inclined surface facing
the tube inner side is formed at the tip end of the mating hood,
and the regulating member inclined surface facing the tube outer
side is provided on the playing regulating protrusion, by receiving
the elastic restoring force of the plate spring member, the tip end
of the mating hood displaces toward the tube outer side, and the
playing regulating protrusion displaces toward the tube inner
side.
Further, for example, when the mating hood tip end inclined surface
facing the tube outer side is formed at the tip end of the mating
hood, and the regulating member inclined surface facing the tube
inner side is provided on the playing regulating protrusion, by
receiving the elastic restoring force of the plate spring member,
the tip end of the mating hood displaces toward the tube inner
side, and the playing regulating protrusion displaces toward the
tube outer side.
The displacement prevents rattling in directions orthogonal to the
tubular center axis due to the clearance between the housing and
the mating housing.
Therefore, according to the connector structure of the present
configuration, abrasion powder generated by the fine sliding wear
between the terminal and the mating terminal can be prevented from
being an oxide insulator, so that contact reliability between the
terminal and the mating terminal can be prevented from being
reduced. Therefore, it is possible to maintain good contact
reliability over a long period of time.
In an aspect (2), at least one of the playing regulating protrusion
is provided on each of the playing regulating member in an
upper-lower direction and a left-right direction that are
orthogonal to each other, and is orthogonal to a tubular center
axis of the hood.
According to the aspect (2), at least four playing regulating
protrusions provided on the playing regulating member are
separately provided on four sides including upper and lower sides
of the playing regulating member that sandwich the tubular center
axis of the hood vertically, and left and right sides of the
playing regulating member that sandwich the tubular center axis of
the hood on the left and right. Incidentally, a pair of the playing
regulating protrusions may be provided on one of the four sides
(for example, an upper side of the playing regulating member) with
the tubular center axis interposed therebetween. In this case, a
total of five playing regulating protrusions are provided. As
described above, in the connector structure according to the
present configuration, the playing regulating protrusions provided
on the playing regulating member are arranged radially in four
directions sandwiching the tubular center axis in the upper-lower
and left-right directions. Therefore, the tip end of the mating
hood abuts against the playing regulating member substantially
uniformly in a radial direction around the tubular center axis. As
a result, an urging force of the plate spring member acting on the
tip end of the mating hood via the playing regulating member is
substantially uniform in the radial direction around the tubular
center axis. As a result, the playing regulating member can
maintain a high degree of parallelism with the bottom even when the
plate spring member is pressed and moved or when the mating hood is
pushed back. Therefore, in the connector structure according to the
present configuration, it is possible to prevent the playing
regulating member from being inclined with respect to the bottom
and causing the rattling reducing action to be uneven in the radial
direction.
In an aspect (3), a spring excessive displacement preventing
projection that abuts against the bottom is formed on the playing
regulating member.
According to the aspect (3), the playing regulating member includes
the spring excessive displacement preventing projection protruding
toward the bottom. When the connector and the mating connector are
fitted, the playing regulating member presses the plate spring
member toward the bottom when the regulating member inclined
surface is pressed against the mating hood tip end inclined
surface. The spring portion provided on the plate spring member is
compressed and deformed by this pressing. In a process of
compressing and deforming the spring portion of the plate spring
member, the spring excessive displacement preventing projection
abuts against the bottom before displacement exceeding an elastic
limit is applied. Accordingly, the spring portion of the plate
spring member is regulated from further displacement. As a result,
in the connector structure according to the present configuration,
the spring portion of the plate spring member can be prevented from
being excessively deformed beyond the elastic limit and plastically
deformed, so that a stable rattling reducing action can be
maintained.
According to one or more embodiments, a stable vibration resistant
effect can be obtained even after aging.
The present invention is briefly described as above. Further,
details of the present invention will be clarified by reading a
mode for carrying out the invention described below with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a high vibration
resistant connector including a connector structure according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plate spring member shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a playing regulating member shown
in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan sectional views of the connector shown in
FIG. 1. FIG. 5A is a plan sectional view of a hood to which the
plate spring member is mounted. FIG. 5B is a plan sectional view of
the hood to which the plate spring member and the playing
regulating member are mounted.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a mating connector shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector in which contact between a lock arm and a lock
projection is started.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector in which a packing is started to be
contacted.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector in which contact between a terminal and a
mating terminal is started.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector in which contact between a mating hood and the
playing regulating member is started.
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector in which fitting is completed.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mating connector in a high
vibration resistant connector including a connector structure
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a playing regulating member
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view showing a rattling
reducing action by a mating hood tip end inclined surface and a
regulating member inclined surface in the high vibration resistant
connector according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector having a
connector structure in related art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with
reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a high vibration
resistant connector 11 including a connector structure according to
a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present
specification, X, Y and Z directions follow directions of arrows
shown in FIG. 1.
The connector structure according to the first embodiment is
applied to the high vibration resistant connector 11.
The high vibration resistant connector 11 is configured with a
connector 13 and a mating connector 15 being fitted together. In
the first embodiment, the connector 13 is a female connector. The
mating connector 15 is a male connector. The mating connector 15
can be formed as a part of an auxiliary machine, for example. The
connector 13 accommodates, for example, two female terminals 17
formed in a box shape. The mating connector 15 accommodates, for
example, two male mating terminals 19 (see FIG. 8) formed in a tab
shape. Incidentally, a shape and the number of the terminals of the
connector structure are not limited thereto.
The connector structure according to the first embodiment mainly
includes a hood 21 of the connector 13, a mating hood 23 of the
mating connector 15, a plate spring member 25, a playing regulating
member 27, a mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 of the mating
connector 15, and a playing regulating protrusion 31 of the playing
regulating member 27.
In addition, the connector structure according to the first
embodiment includes a packing 33, rubber plugs 35, electric wires
37, a housing 39 of the connector 13, a mating housing 41 of the
mating connector 15, a lock arm 43, a side spacer 45, and a lock
projection 47.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector 13 shown in FIG. 1.
The hood 21 of the connector 13 is formed integrally with the
housing 39 made of an insulating resin, and is formed in a
substantially rectangular bottomed tubular shape. A bottom 49 is a
back wall of the housing 39. An inner tube portion 53 formed with
terminal receiving ports 51 protrudes coaxially inside the hood 21.
An annular fitting space 55 is formed between the inner tube
portion 53 and the hood 21. The mating hood 23 of the mating
connector 15 is fitted into the fitting space 55. In the fitting
space 55, grooves 57 extending along a tubular center axis L are
formed on an upper and lower side with the inner tube portion 53
sandwiched therebetween. Each of the grooves 57 is provided with a
locked protruding portion 59 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). A pair of
press-fitting holes 61 is formed on both sides of a line segment
connecting a pair of diagonal corners of the bottom 49 of the
fitting space 55.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plate spring member 25 shown in
FIG. 1.
The plate spring member 25 made of metal is accommodated in the
bottom 49 of the hood 21. The plate spring member 25 includes a
plate spring main body portion 63. The plate spring member 25 is
formed in a square frame shape obtained by punching a metal plate
parallel to the bottom 49 into a substantially rectangular shape. A
pair of press-fitting projections 65 protrudes from a surface of
the plate spring main body portion 63 facing the bottom 49 so as to
correspond to the press-fitting holes 61. Four spring portions 67
are integrally formed on a surface of the plate spring main body
portion 63 on a side not facing the bottom 49. The spring portions
67 are formed by bending so as to overlap along sides of the plate
spring main body portion 63, respectively. Each of the spring
portions 67 is formed as a plate spring with a bent tip end as a
free end.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the playing regulating member 27
shown in FIG. 1.
The playing regulating member 27 is formed of an insulating resin
material. The playing regulating member 27 is formed in a square
frame shape substantially similar to the plate spring main body
portion 63. The playing regulating member 27 is mounted facing the
bottom 49 with the plate spring member 25 interposed therebetween.
The playing regulating member 27 is urged in a direction opposite
to a fitting direction (Z direction) of the mating hood 23 by the
spring portions 67 of the plate spring member 25. On both sides of
an upper side portion and both sides of a lower side portion of the
playing regulating member 27, protruding portions 69 protruding in
extending directions of the side portions thereof are formed. The
protruding portions 69 are respectively locked to the locked
protruding portions 59 provided in the grooves 57 described above.
As a result, the playing regulating member 27 is movable along a
fitting direction (Z direction) of the mating hood 23, and is
regulated from falling-off from the hood 21 of the connector
13.
A plurality of playing regulating protrusions 31 is integrally
formed on a surface of the playing regulating member 27 on a side
not facing the bottom 49. The playing regulating protrusion 31 is
formed with a regulating member inclined surface 71. The regulating
member inclined surface 71 abuts against the mating hood tip end
inclined surface 29 of the mating hood 23 to be described later
when the housing 39 and the mating housing 41 are fitted with each
other.
The regulating member inclined surface 71 is inclined either inward
or outward the tube. In the first embodiment, the regulating member
inclined surface 71 is inclined toward a tube outer side. That is,
the regulating member inclined surface 71 is formed as an inclined
surface facing the tube outer side. "Facing the tube outer side"
refers to facing the outside in a radial direction of the tube
around the tubular center axis L in the Z direction. Further,
"facing the tube inner side" refers to facing the inside in the
radial direction of the tube around the tubular center axis L in
the Z direction.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, at
least one playing regulating protrusion 31 is provided on the
playing regulating member 27 in an upper-lower direction (Y
direction) and a left-right direction (X direction) that are
respectively orthogonal to the tubular center axis L of the hood
21, and are orthogonal to each other. In the connector structure
according to the first embodiment, the playing regulating
protrusion 31 is provided with a total of four, each one at the
approximate center of each side portion of the playing regulating
member 27 formed in a square frame shape. As described above, in
the connector structure according to the first embodiment, the
playing regulating protrusions 31 are arranged radially in four
directions sandwiching the tubular center axis L in the upper-lower
and left-right directions.
A pair of spring excessive displacement preventing projections 73
protrudes from a surface of the playing regulating member 27 facing
the bottom 49 at an upper side portion and a lower side portion.
When the spring portion 67 is displaced by a certain amount, a
protruding tip end of the spring excessive displacement preventing
projection 73 abuts against the bottom 49.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan sectional views of the connector 13 shown
in FIG. 1. FIG. 5A is a plan sectional view of the hood 21 to which
the plate spring member 25 is mounted. FIG. 5B is a plan sectional
view of the hood 21 to which the plate spring member 25 and the
playing regulating member 27 are mounted.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the plate spring member 25 is inserted into
the fitting space 55 of the hood 21, and the press-fitting
projections 65 are press-fitted into the respective press-fitting
holes 61, so that the plate spring main body portion 63 is fixed
and in close contact with the bottom 49 in parallel.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the playing regulating member 27 is inserted
into the fitting space 55 in the hood 21 in which the plate spring
member 25 is fixed to the bottom 49. When the protruding portions
69 are respectively engaged with the locked protruding portions 59
of the grooves 57, the playing regulating member 27 is regulated
from falling-off from the hood 21, and the mounting is completed.
In this engaged state, the spring portion 67 is in a state of being
bent by a predetermined amount in advance in an arrow direction
shown in FIG. 5B.
When the spring portion 67 is deformed by the predetermined amount
in a mounting completed state of the playing regulating member 27
shown in FIG. 5B, the spring excessive displacement preventing
projection 73 provided in the playing regulating member 27 abuts
against the bottom 49. As a result, the spring excessive
displacement preventing projection 73 prevents the spring portion
67 from being deformed excessively beyond an elastic limit and
plastically deformed.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the mating connector 15 shown in FIG.
1.
The mating hood 23 fitted inside the hood 21 is integrally formed
with the mating housing 41 of the mating connector 15. The inner
tube portion 53 of the connector 13 is fitted inside the mating
hood 23. The pair of mating terminals 19 that enters the terminal
receiving ports 51 protrudes inside the mating hood 23. On both
sides of an upper side portion and both sides of a lower side
portion of the mating hood 23, ribs 75 protruding in extending
directions of each side portion are formed. The ribs 75 are
inserted into the respective grooves 57 of the hood 21 and serve as
a fitting guide. The mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 is
formed at a tip end at the fitting direction (Z direction) of the
mating hood 23. Immediately before the completion of the fitting,
the mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 abuts against the
playing regulating member 27.
In the first embodiment, the mating hood tip end inclined surface
29 is inclined toward the tube inner side. That is, the mating hood
tip end inclined surface 29 is formed as an inclined surface facing
the tube inner side. The mating hood tip end inclined surface 29
may be formed around the entire inner periphery of the tip end of
the mating hood 23, or may be formed only on portions corresponding
to each of the regulating member inclined surfaces 71. In the first
embodiment, the mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 is formed
around the entire inner periphery at the tip end of the mating hood
23. The mating hood tip end inclined surfaces 29 abuts against the
regulating member inclined surfaces 71 respectively in
parallel.
The packing 33 is accommodated in the fitting space 55 of the hood
21. The packing 33 is formed in an annular shape by rubber or the
like. The packing 33 is mounted on an outer periphery of the inner
tube portion 53 to seal the inner tube portion 53 and the mating
hood 23 in a watertight manner.
The electric wires 37 are respectively electrically connected to
the terminals 17 by crimping or the like. The annular rubber plugs
35 are mounted to outer peripheries of the electric wires 37
connected to the terminals 17, respectively. The rubber plug 35
seals between the electric wire 37 and an electric wire outlet port
77 (see FIG. 7) of the housing 39 from which the electric wire 37
is led out. The rubber plug 35 is fixed to the electric wire 37 by,
for example, being crimped to a crimping piece of the terminal
17.
The lock arm 43 of the connector 13 is formed in a cantilever shape
in which a base end thereof is formed integrally with the housing
39 and the other end thereof extending forward is a free end. The
lock arm 43 has an operation arm 44 extending rearward from a free
end side. A rear end side of the operation arm 44 serves as an
operation portion. The lock arm 43 includes an arm tip end portion
79 that faces the mating hood 23 of the mating connector 15. The
arm tip end portion 79 is engaged with the lock projection 47
formed on the mating hood 23. The lock arm 43 and the lock
projection 47 form a lock mechanism that fits and locks the
connector 13 and the mating connector 15.
The side spacer 45 is inserted into a terminal accommodating
chamber from one side surface of the housing 39. By inserting a
regulating portion 46 into the terminal accommodating chamber, the
side spacer 45 locks a rear end of the terminal 17 to regulate the
terminal 17 from coming-off.
Next, a fitting operation of the connector structure according to
the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector 11 in which contact between the lock arm 43 and
the lock projection 47 is started.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, when
fitting of the high vibration resistant connector 11 is started, as
shown in FIG. 7, the lock arm 43 and the lock projection 47 start
to contact each other. That is, the arm tip end portion 79 of the
lock arm 43 comes into contact with an arm push-up inclined surface
81 of the lock projection 47. At this time, the lock insertion load
is generated.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector 11 in which the packing 33 is started to be
contacted.
In a process of inserting the mating hood 23 into the fitting space
55 of the hood 21, as shown in FIG. 8, the packing 33 starts to
enter the mating hood 23. At this time, the packing insertion load
is generated. The arm tip end portion 79 goes above the arm push-up
inclined surface 81.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector 11 in which contact between the terminal 17 and
the mating terminal 19 is started.
Further, when the mating hood 23 is inserted into the hood 21, as
shown in FIG. 9, the terminal 17 and the mating terminal 19 start
to contact each other. At this time, the terminal insertion load is
generated. At a later time point, the connector insertion force
becomes the maximum.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector 11 in which contact between the mating hood 23
and the playing regulating member 27 is started.
Further, when the mating hood 23 is inserted into the hood 21, as
shown in FIG. 10, the mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 of
the mating hood 23 abuts against the regulating member inclined
surface 71 of the playing regulating protrusion 31, and the
pressing of the plate spring member 25 is started.
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high vibration
resistant connector 11 in which fitting is completed, and FIG. 12
is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 11.
When the mating hood 23 is further inserted into the hood 21, as
shown in FIG. 11, the spring portion 67 of the plate spring member
25 is pressed by the playing regulating member 27 to be elastically
deformed, and an elastic repulsive force is generated in the spring
portion 67. In the connector structure according to the first
embodiment, an arm side locking surface 83 of the lock arm 43 and a
mating locking surface 85 of the lock projection 47 are locked to
complete the fitting.
As described above, in the connector structure according to the
first embodiment, an abutting start position between the mating
hood tip end inclined surface 29 (see FIG. 6) and the regulating
member inclined surface 71 is set to a predetermined stroke
position after a fitting force between the housing 39 and the
mating housing 41 reaches the maximum. As a result, the connector
structure according to the first embodiment is configured such that
generation of the spring load does not increase the connector
insertion force.
According to the connector structure of the first embodiment, in a
fitted state of the high vibration resistant connector 11, the lock
projection 47 and the lock arm 43 are engaged with each other, and
an abutting state between the mating hood tip end inclined surface
29 and the regulating member inclined surface 71 of the playing
regulating protrusion 31 is maintained.
Next, an action of the connector structure according to the first
embodiment will be described.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, the
connector 13 and the mating connector 15 are fitted and locked by
the lock mechanism configured with the lock arm 43 and the lock
projection 47, so that the fitting therebetween is regulated from
being released. The connector structure according to the first
embodiment is in a locked state in which the release of the fitting
is regulated during use. The lock arm 43 is provided on the
connector 13, and the lock projection 47 is provided on the mating
connector 15, for example. Either of the lock arm 43 or the lock
projection 47 configuring the lock mechanism may be provided on the
connector 13 or the mating connector 15 as long as the lock arm 43
and the lock projection 47 relatively approach each other at the
time of fitting.
The lock arm 43 provided in the connector 13 has the arm side
locking surface 83 perpendicular to the fitting direction in a
direction opposite to the fitting direction of the mating connector
15. Since the arm side locking surface 83 is disposed on the free
end side of the lock arm 43, the arm side locking surface 83 can be
displaced in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting
direction of the mating connector 15. On the other hand, the lock
projection 47 of the mating connector 15 is provided with the arm
push-up inclined surface 81 having a downward slope that gradually
decreases in the fitting direction (Z direction). That is, the arm
push-up inclined surface 81 is an inclined surface gradually
increasing toward the direction opposite side to the fitting
direction (Z direction). The arm push-up inclined surface 81 is
formed with the mating locking surface 85 that hangs substantially
vertically at a top portion of a terminal end thereof that
gradually increases.
When the connector 13 and the mating connector 15 are fitted, the
lock arm 43 and the lock projection 47 approach each other. When
the fitting is started, the arm push-up inclined surface 81 formed
on the lock projection 47 abuts against the arm tip end portion 79
on which the arm side locking surface 83 is formed. When the
fitting further proceeds, the arm tip end portion 79 is pushed up
by the arm push-up inclined surface 81. That is, the arm tip end
portion 79 goes above the arm push-up inclined surface 81.
Immediately before the completion of the fitting, the arm tip end
portion 79 reaches the top portion of the arm push-up inclined
surface 81. In this state, the lock arm 43 is elastically deformed
to the uppermost position.
Here, the arm tip end portion 79 needs to pass through the top
portion of the arm push-up inclined surface 81. When the arm tip
end portion 79 passes through the top portion of the arm push-up
inclined surface 81, the lock arm 43 finishes riding on the arm
push-up inclined surface 81. When the arm tip end portion 79 passes
through the top portion, the lock arm 43 falls along the mating
locking surface 85 due to an elastic restoring force. Accordingly,
the mating locking surface 85 and the arm side locking surface 83
face each other, and the connector 13 and the mating connector 15
are regulated from being detached. That is, the connector 13 and
the mating connector 15 are locked in the fitted state by the lock
mechanism.
At this time, the arm tip end portion 79 must slightly pass through
the top portion so as to fall along the mating locking surface 85.
A slight passing distance is an essential clearance for completing
the locking of the lock mechanism.
The clearance in the lock mechanism remains even when the connector
13 and the mating connector 15 are in the locked state. That is,
even in the locked state of the connector, the lock arm 43 and the
lock projection 47 can move slightly relative to each other by the
clearance.
Therefore, the terminal 17 accommodated in the housing 39 and the
mating terminal 19 accommodated in the mating housing 41 can be
finely slid by the clearance due to vibration during traveling of a
vehicle or the like. When the fine sliding between the terminal 17
and the mating terminal 19 occurs over a long period of time, wear
(that is, fine sliding wear) exceeds an allowable amount, and the
electrical connection reliability may be reduced.
Therefore, in the connector structure according to the first
embodiment, the plate spring member 25 made of metal is provided at
the bottom 49 of the hood 21. The playing regulating member 27 is
provided facing the bottom 49 with the plate spring member 25
interposed therebetween. The playing regulating member 27 is urged
by the plate spring member 25 in the direction opposite to the
fitting direction of the mating hood 23. The playing regulating
member 27 is provided with the regulating member inclined surface
71. Immediately before the completion of the fitting, the
regulating member inclined surface 71 is pressed against the mating
hood tip end inclined surface 29 formed at the tip end in the
fitting direction of the mating hood 23. The playing regulating
member 27 including the regulating member inclined surface 71
pressed against the mating hood tip end inclined surface 29
compresses and deforms the spring portion 67 of the plate spring
member 25 against a spring force (elastic restoring force).
As described above, the tip end portion 79 that has reached the top
portion of the arm push-up inclined surface 81 passes through the
top portion by the clearance and locks the arm side locking surface
83 to the mating locking surface 85. Even in movement by the
clearance, the plate spring member 25 is compressed to accumulate
the elastic restoring force. Therefore, when an insertion force for
the fitting is released, the mating housing 41 of the mating
connector 15 is urged by the elastic restoring force of the plate
spring member 25 and pushed back in the direction opposite to the
fitting direction.
Therefore, in the mating housing 41 of the mating connector 15
pushed back by the elastic restoring force of the plate spring
member 25, the mating locking surface 85 of the lock projection 47
provided on the mating housing 41 is brought into close contact
with the arm side locking surface 83 of the lock arm 43 provided on
the housing 39, and the clearance in the lock mechanism can be
eliminated. That is, the rattling due to the clearance in the lock
mechanism that fits and locks the housing 39 and the mating housing
41 is reduced. Accordingly, in the connector structure according to
the first embodiment, in the fitted and locked state of the housing
39 and the mating housing 41, a movement between the mating locking
surface 85 of the lock projection 47 and the arm side locking
surface 83 of the lock arm 43 in approaching and separating
directions due to the clearance in the lock mechanism becomes
impossible. As a result, in the connector structure according to
the first embodiment, even when the vibration occurs when the
vehicle is traveling or the like, the fine sliding between the
terminal 17 accommodated in the housing 39 and the mating terminal
19 accommodated in the mating housing 41 can be prevented.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, the
plate spring member 25 that pushes back the mating housing 41 so as
to eliminate the clearance in the lock mechanism is made of a metal
elastic member. Therefore, the plate spring member 25 is less
likely to creep due to aging like an elastic member made of rubber
or resin. That is, a push-back force acting on the mating housing
41 can be maintained for a long period of time. Therefore, the
plate spring member 25 can maintain the elastic repulsive force of
the spring portion 67 even in long-term use, and can prevent the
rattling in the fitting direction between the housing 39 and the
mating housing 41.
In addition, the mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 of the
mating hood 23 and the regulating member inclined surface 71 of the
playing regulating protrusion 31 which are in the abutting state
may displace in directions inward and outward the tube (X direction
and Y direction) by receiving the elastic restoring force of the
plate spring member 25.
In the first embodiment, the mating hood tip end inclined surface
29 facing the tube inner side is formed at the tip end of the
mating hood 23, and the regulating member inclined surface 71
facing the tube outer side is provided on the playing regulating
protrusion 31. In this case, by receiving the elastic restoring
force of the plate spring member 25, the tip end of the mating hood
23 displaces toward the tube outer side, and the playing regulating
protrusion 31 displaces toward the tube inner side.
The displacement prevents rattling in the upper-lower direction (Y
direction) and the left-right direction (X direction) orthogonal to
the tubular center axis L due to the clearance Cy between the
housing 39 and the mating housing 41.
Therefore, according to the connector structure of the first
embodiment, abrasion powder generated by the fine sliding wear
between the terminal 17 and the mating terminal 19 can be prevented
from being an oxide insulator, so that the contact reliability
between the terminal 17 and the mating terminal 19 can be prevented
from being reduced. Therefore, it is possible to maintain good
contact reliability over a long period of time.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, the
fitting space 55 is effectively used by accommodating the plate
spring member 25 and the playing regulating member 27 in the
fitting space 55 of the hood 21 into which the mating hood 23 is
inserted. As a result, it is not necessary to ensure a dedicated
rattling regulation space in other portions.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, at
least four playing regulating protrusions 31 provided on the
playing regulating member 27 are separately provided on four sides
including upper and lower sides of the playing regulating member 27
that sandwich the tubular center axis L of the hood 21 vertically,
and left and right sides of the playing regulating member 27 that
sandwich the tubular center axis L of the hood 21 on the left and
right. As described above, in the connector structure according to
the first embodiment, the four playing regulating protrusion 31
provided on the playing regulating member 27 are arranged radially
in four directions sandwiching the tubular center axis L in the
upper-lower and left-right directions (Y. X directions).
The mating hood tip end inclined surface 29 of the mating connector
15 abuts against the playing regulating member 27 substantially
uniformly in a radial direction (upper-lower and left-right
directions) around the tubular center axis L. Accordingly, an
urging force of the plate spring member 25 acting on the mating
hood tip end inclined surface 29 via the playing regulating member
27 is substantially uniform in the radial direction around the
tubular center axis L. As a result, the playing regulating member
27 can maintain a high degree of parallelism with the bottom 49 of
the connector 13 even when the plate spring member 25 is pressed or
moved, or when the mating hood 23 of the mating connector 15 is
pushed back. Therefore, in the connector structure according to the
first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the playing regulating
member 27 from being inclined with respect to the bottom 49 and
causing the rattling reducing action to be uneven in the radial
direction.
In the connector structure according to the first embodiment, the
playing regulating member 27 includes the spring excessive
displacement preventing projection 73 protruding toward the bottom
49. When the connector 13 and the mating connector 15 are fitted,
the regulating member inclined surface 71 is pressed against the
mating hood tip end inclined surface 29, and the playing regulating
member 27 presses the plate spring member 25 toward the bottom 49.
The spring portion 67 provided on the plate spring member 25 is
compressed and deformed by this pressing. In a process of
compressing and deforming the spring portion 67 of the plate spring
member 25, the spring excessive displacement preventing projection
73 abuts against the bottom 49 before displacement exceeding the
elastic limit is applied.
Accordingly, the spring portion 67 of the plate spring member 25 is
regulated from further displacement. As a result, according to the
connector structure of the first embodiment, the spring portion 67
of the plate spring member 25 can be prevented from being
excessively deformed beyond the elastic limit and plastically
deformed, so that a stable rattling reducing action can be
maintained.
Next, a connector structure according to a second embodiment of the
present invention will be described.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mating connector 87 in a high
vibration resistant connector including a connector structure
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the connector structure according to the second embodiment, a
mating hood tip end inclined surface 91 of a mating hood 89 in a
mating housing 41 of a mating connector 87 is inclined to the tube
outer side. That is, the mating hood tip end inclined surface 91 is
formed as an inclined surface facing the tube outer side.
At least four mating hood tip end inclined surfaces 91 are
separately provided on four sides including upper and lower sides
of the mating hood 89 that sandwich the tubular center axis L of
the hood 21 vertically, and left and right sides of the mating hood
89 that sandwich the tubular center axis L of the hood 21 on the
left and right in the housing 39. In the second embodiment, a pair
of mating hood tip end inclined surfaces 91 is provided on one of
the four sides (upper side of the mating hood 89) with the tubular
center axis L interposed therebetween. Therefore, the mating hood
tip end inclined surfaces 91 of the second embodiment are radially
arranged with a total of five.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a playing regulating member 93
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the connector structure according to the second embodiment, a
regulating member inclined surface 97 of a playing regulating
protrusion 95 in the playing regulating member 93 is inclined to
the tube inner side. That is, the regulating member inclined
surface 97 is formed as an inclined surface facing the tube inner
side.
At least four playing regulating protrusions 95 provided with the
regulating member inclined surface 97 are separately provided on
four sides including upper and lower sides of the playing
regulating member 93 that sandwich the tubular center axis L of the
hood 21 vertically, and left and right sides of the playing
regulating member 93 that sandwich the tubular center axis L of the
hood 21 on the left and right in the housing 39. In the second
embodiment, a pair of playing regulating protrusions 95 of the
playing regulating member 93 is provided on one of the four sides
(upper side of the playing regulating member 93) with the tubular
center axis L interposed therebetween. Therefore, the playing
regulating protrusions 95 of the second embodiment are radially
arranged with a total of five.
Accordingly, the regulating member inclined surface 97 of the
playing regulating protrusion 95 and the mating hood tip end
inclined surface 91 of the mating hood 89 are configured to face
each other respectively. The mating hood tip end inclined surfaces
91 abut against the regulating member inclined surfaces 97
respectively in parallel. Other configurations are the same as
those of the connector structure according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view showing a rattling
reducing action by the mating hood tip end inclined surface 91 and
the regulating member inclined surface 97.
In the connector structure according to the second embodiment, the
mating hood tip end inclined surface 91 facing the tube outer side
is formed at a tip end of the mating hood 89 in the mating housing
41, and the regulating member inclined surface 97 facing the tube
inner side is provided on the playing regulating protrusion 95 of
the playing regulating member 93. In this case, by receiving the
elastic restoring force of the plate spring member 25, the tip end
of the mating hood 89 displaces toward the tube inner side, and the
playing regulating protrusion 95 displaces toward the tube outer
side.
The displacement prevents rattling in the upper-lower direction and
the left-right direction (X direction and Y direction) orthogonal
to the tubular center axis L due to the clearance Cy between the
hood 21 of the housing 39 and the mating hood 89 of the mating
housing 41.
Therefore, according to the connector structure of the second
embodiment, abrasion powder generated by the fine sliding wear
between the terminal 17 and the mating terminal 19 can be prevented
from being an oxide insulator, so that the contact reliability
between the terminal 17 and the mating terminal 19 can be prevented
from being reduced. Therefore, it is possible to maintain good
contact reliability over a long period of time.
In addition, in the connector structure according to the second
embodiment, the tip end of the mating hood 89 displaces to the tube
inner side. The mating hood 89 displaced to the tube inner side
displaces in a direction approaching the packing 33. Therefore,
according to the connector structure of the second embodiment, the
mating hood 89 is in closer contact with the packing 33, so that
the watertight sealing performance can be improved.
Therefore, according to the connector structure according to the
above-described embodiments, a stable vibration resistant effect
can be obtained even after aging.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described
above, and may be appropriately modified, improved or the like. In
addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement position,
or the like of each component in the above-described embodiments
are optional and are not limited as long as the present invention
can be achieved.
Here, characteristics of the embodiments of the connector structure
according to the present invention above will be briefly summarized
in the following [1] to [3], respectively.
[1] A connector structure comprising:
a hood (21) formed in a housing (39) and having a bottomed tubular
shape;
a mating hood (23, 89) formed in a mating housing (41) and fitted
inside the hood;
a plate spring member (25) made of metal and accommodated in the
bottom (49) of the hood;
a playing regulating member (27, 93);
a mating hood tip end inclined surface (29, 91) formed at a tip end
of the mating hood in a fitting direction and inclined to a tube
inner side or a tube outer side; and
a playing regulating protrusion (31, 95),
wherein the playing regulating member (27, 93) is provided in an
opposite side against the bottom with the plate spring member
interposed therebetween and is urged by the plate spring member in
a direction opposite to a fitting direction (Z direction) against
the mating hood, and
wherein the playing regulating protrusion (31, 95) is provided on
the playing regulating member and has a regulating member inclined
surface (71, 97) which is configured to be abutted against the
mating hood tip end inclined surface in a state that the housing
and the mating housing are fitted with each other.
[2] The connector structure according to [1],
wherein at least one of the playing regulating protrusion (31, 95)
is provided on each of the playing regulating member (27, 93) in an
upper-lower direction (Y direction) and a left-right direction (X
direction) that are orthogonal to each other, and is orthogonal to
a tubular center axis (L) of the hood (21).
[3] The connector structure according to [1] or [2],
wherein a spring excessive displacement preventing projection (73)
that abuts against the bottom (49) is formed on the playing
regulating member (27, 93).
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS
11 high vibration resistant connector 21 hood 23 mating hood 25
plate spring member 27 playing regulating member 29 mating hood tip
end inclined surface 31 playing regulating protrusion 39 housing 41
mating housing 49 bottom 71 regulating member inclined surface 73
spring excessive displacement preventing projection 89 mating hood
91 mating hood tip end inclined surface 93 playing regulating
member 95 playing regulating protrusion 97 regulating member
inclined surface
* * * * *